A Cardiac Protection of Germinated Brown Rice During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery and Simulated Myocardial Ischemia.

PURPOSE: The potential cardio-protective property of germinated brown rice (GBR) has been revealed by ameliorating risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases. This study hypothesized that the combination of GBR and cardioplegic solution could protect the cardiomyocytes exposed to simulated ischemic reperfusion injury in vitro study and preserve cardiac function during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in animal models. METHODS: Primary porcine cardiomyocytes were isolated and experimented cell viability against simulated ischemic reperfusion injury. In a cardiac surgical animal model, six pigs were randomly assigned to receive the two types of cardioplegic solution: i) St. Thomas cardioplegic solution (20 cc/kg); and ii) St. Thomas cardioplegic solution plus GBR (1 mg/kg). During open-heart surgery, the aorta was cross-clamped for 20 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 1 hour. Cardiopulmonary bypass parameters were recorded until the end of the procedure. Furthermore, hemodynamic parameters and arterial blood gas characteristics of animals among groups were monitored at different time points, including baseline before cardiopulmonary bypass (T1), during cardiopulmonary bypass (T2), during aortic clamp on (T3), and aortic clamp off (T4). RESULTS: Primarily, GBR cotreatment with cardioplegic solution essentially resulted in the improvement of cell viability in primary porcine cardiomyocytes against simulated ischemic reperfusion induction. The findings from cardiac surgery demonstrated that mean arterial pressure and heart rate are constantly stable in cardioplegic solution combined with the GBR group, while the trend of potassium and lactase concentration was decreased in the animals receiving GBR group. Consistently, all parameters from arterial blood gas showed better outcomes in animals receiving GBR; however, there were no statistically significant differences between groups, except hepatic enzymes. CONCLUSION: Therefore, GBR might exert cardio-protective effects against ischemic reperfusion injury in the porcine cardiac surgery model due to anti-inflammatory response. These protective actions of GBR may explain the benefits gained from applying GBR products as a possible therapeutic supplement on cardiac diseases.

Chronic Atlantoaxial Luxation Imaging Features in a Pony with Intermittent Neck Stiffness.

A 17-year-old mixed breed pony was presented with intermittent neck stiffness during regular training rides in the six months preceding its admission. All parameters were within the normal range, except for an increase in heart rate (48 bpm) during the examination. Concave areas were observed at the level between the atlas and axis vertebrae (C1-C2) on both the left and right sides of the neck. Radiographs were taken of the laterolateral, left ventrodorsal oblique, and right ventrodorsal oblique projections in the cranial cervical region. The images revealed severe structural disorders, including trauma with luxation of the atlantoaxial joint, a fusion of the atlas and axis vertebrae, and evidence of a false joint in the axis bone. Subsequent ultrasonography showed hyperechoic areas in the rectus capitis caudalis and obliquus capitis caudalis muscles. Neck mobility was improved after two weeks of stall rest, administration of oral phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg), and topical cold gel treatment. The overstretching of surrounding soft tissues accompanying chronic injury of cranial cervical area may result in neck stiffness in the aging pony. Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings were consistent with the presence of cranial cervical trauma leading to neck stiffness. These findings emphasized the essential role of imaging diagnostics in treating a pony with intermittent neck stiffness.

The effects of anesthetic drug choice on heart rate variability in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of anesthetic drugs on heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve healthy client-owned dogs of various breeds, including five females and seven males were used for elective surgery in this study. The dogs were pre-medicated with four protocols; (1) alfaxalone [at 3 mg/kg body weight (bwt)], (2) zolazepam + tiletamine (Zoletil) (at 5 mg/kg bwt), (3) diazepam (at 0.3 mg/kg bwt) + ketamine (at 5 mg/kg bwt), and (4) diazepam (at 0.3 mg/kg bwt) + propofol (at 5 mg/kg bwt). The HR and HRV of 12 dogs were recorded 20 min before and after the administration of the anesthetic drugs. Doppler was used to obtain systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures. RESULTS: After anesthetic drug administration, the dogs pre-medicated and inducted with alfaxalone had the lowest HR values as compared with those of other protocols. The HRV low frequency and high frequency power ratio decreased in the dogs pre-medicated and intubated with alfaxalone. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that alfaxalone preserves the cardiovascular function; and hence, is considered as safe to use for the surgical applicability in dogs.